Kravitz: Pacers shouldn't up offer to Lance Stephenson

For years, they've put up with Lance Stephenson's nonsense. Off the court, mostly on the court, in the locker room, the Indiana Pacers have held their nose and dealt with every one of Stephenson's missteps, his ball hogging, his stat-chasing, his impertinent words, his ludicrous ear-blowing. They've put up with it all, with Larry Bird forever stationed in Stephenson's corner, even when Lance crossed the line into absurdity.

Never mind the fact that in the final two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, after the point where his act had worn extraordinarily thin, Stephenson did absolutely nothing to make the case that he deserves a $10 million-plus contract.

So it's like this: If he doesn't want a five-year, $44 million contract, if that's not enough to keep him in one of the few places where he's still accepted whether he's Good Lance or Bad Lance, let him go.

Listen, if Stephenson can get $10 million a year on the open market – and I don't begrudge his agent for working through the process; that's what he's paid to do – the more power to him and his family.

But I'm saying this now: Stephenson will never have as good a support system (read: Bird) as he has now in Indianapolis.

He will never find a group of teammates more willing (however grudgingly) to put up with his antics, both on the practice court and in games.

He will never find a fan base more willing to embrace him, a fan base that loves him despite all his warts, much like Ron Artest.

If I'm Bird, I'm not moving off that offer. I'm not budging, because the contract offer fully reflects Stephenson's worth. Yes, he is a tremendous raw talent who led the league in triple-doubles. He's also enigmatic, which is a nice way of saying he can be a complete knucklehead at times. He's a time bomb in the same way Artest was forever poised to explode.

Upping their offer to Lance Stephenson could put the Pacers in a tough spot regarding the salary cap.(Photo: Matt Detrich / The Star)

He was central to some of the Pacers' late-season issues, and his misguided commentary helped inspire LeBron James to not only want to beat the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, but humiliate them. (Mission accomplished.)

I'm not moving off that offer because the Pacers already have $64 million tied up in eight players, and a big deal for Stephenson would have them right near the luxury tax, a number they absolutely, positively won't exceed. A big number for Stephenson would likely force Bird to make some unpalatable moves, including dumping Luis Scola, who would always be remembered as the centerpiece of one of Bird's worst-ever trades. (Full disclosure: I loved it at the time, as did most Pacers watchers and fans.)

Understand, the Pacers are in a rough spot here. They can't and won't exceed the luxury tax – they simply can't afford it -- and by paying Stephenson big bucks, they'll be right up against the tax. (For the record, the San Antonio Spurs' payroll was just $54 million last year, so you don't have to overspend to compete.) If Stephenson stays, Bird may have to make some accompanying moves to clear cap space – whether it involves Roy Hibbert or George Hill or somebody else.

What good does a $10 million Stephenson do the Pacers if they have to diminish the rest of the roster and be left with a bargain-basement bench, a bench that has been the source of problems for the last three years?

For all the love that Pacers fans lavish on Stephenson, the fact is, his stats are those of a middling two-guard who is average defensively, at best.

So now it's a waiting game.

Teams are waiting for the big dominos to fall.

Where's LeBron James going to take his talents? I'm guessing Cleveland.

Where's Chris Bosh going? I'm guessing Houston, which is willing to overpay him with a four-year, $96 million contract.

Where is Carmelo Anthony going? I'm guessing Los Angeles, although if he was truly interested in winning championships, I'd tell him that Chicago was his best alternative.

Once that's settled in these next few days, everything else – and everyone else – will fall into place. Then it will be a mad scramble for teams with cap space to find ways to spend their money, and that's where Stephenson and other second-tier free agents come in.

The offer was fair. If Stephenson decides it's good enough, fine. If it isn't, say goodbye.

Bob Kravitz is a columnist for The Indianapolis Star. Call him at (317) 444-6643 or email bob.kravitz@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @BKravitz.